handwheel hassle

Help! As embarrasing as it may be I am unable to remove either of the handwheels of my receintly purchased craftsman 113.29920 table saw. I have removed the set screws, the handwheels turn freely on the shaft but won’t come off. I have to be missing something, something probably very simple. My dad rebuilt two of these saws but is no longer with us for me to ask. His saws turned out great and I still use them frequently. Anyone else out there experience this? BY the way, the handwheels won’t come off dads saws either so I know I;m missing something.Thanks all…..........

2 replies so far

Kohen, The lift and tilt screws don't look to be threaded on the ends. It could be the end of the shaft or under the set screw is slightly peened. Try tapping it off and see if it gets difficult to spin on the shaft. -Jack

The shaft can get distorted a bit by the set screw slipping and thehandwheel may not come off easily. Be patient and try squirting somelubricant in there and a pair of screwdrivers used as levers to worry atthe back of the handwheel can get some motion going.

You can also drill a hole a bit bigger than the shaft in a piece of wood,rip the wood in half, then rejoin it behind the handwheel with someclamps or screws and us that the pull at the back.